Volunteer Opportunities

Boat Landing Monitors

You may have noticed Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteers checking boats at boat landing on our area lakes. These individuals help perform boat and trailer checks, disseminate informational brochures and educate boaters on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

If you would like to volunteer or as a student, accompanied by a parent or grandparent, volunteer and fulfill a portion of your Community Service Hours please contact: Sally Pease at 715.795.2936 or e-mail at Sally.Pease.uec@gmail.com

Water Quality Monitoring and Shoreline Monitoring

We in the Eau Claire Lakes area rely on volunteers to be the eyes and ears in the lake world. Volunteers can play an important role in assessing lake water quality and the watershed health by monitoring: water clarity, water chemistry (such as dissolved oxygen or phosphorus), aquatic invasive species, aquatic plant communities, and many kinds of wildlife— from aquatic insects to birds.

Volunteer lake monitoring is a great way to learn more about your lake, observe and document long-term changes in lake health, and collect valuable data. This data is used to report on lake conditions and water quality trends, to prepare lake and watershed management plans, and to teach others about our lakes’ health and what we can do to take better care of them. Wisconsin has several monitoring programs that depend on citizen involvement.

St. Croix Headwaters Watershed Project

This project is a result of citizen and government feedback on implementation priorities from a comprehensive watershed study completed in 2009. The project goals and objectives focus on preserving and improving the wetlands and water quality of the Headwaters, protecting and restoring critical aquatic and riparian habitat and preventing aquatic invasive species from spreading into and within the Headwaters.

The area consists of portions of Bayfield and Douglas Counties and many lakes that are relevant to the efforts of The Friends of the Eau Claire Lakes Area.

If you wish to volunteer in to assist in efforts to preserve and improve these headwaters or to serve on the various committees of this project please contact:

Loon Watch

Become a Loon Ranger – Annual Lakes Monitoring Program
Since 1978, hundreds of volunteers (affectionately known as Loon Rangers) across northern Wisconsin have helped us keep an eye on nesting loons. Volunteers attend a Loon Ranger Workshop in the spring to learn how to monitor loons, to hear what’s new in the world of loon research, and to meet other loon enthusiasts. Throughout summer, Loon Rangers watch loons on a lake where they live, vacation, or visit often. They record when loons arrive, if they nested, how many chicks were produced, and any potential threats to the nest site. In fall, data is sent to LoonWatch where it is entered into the DNR’s SWIMS database and available for management decision-making. Loon Rangers also help protect loons by spreading the word to their neighbors and other lake users to steer clear of loons on nests and on the water.